Published: Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 12:00 PM.

NC-20, an advocacy group for North Carolina’s 20 coastal counties, fought against the last homeowner insurance rate increases in Eastern North Carolina, which it argued were unjustified based on historical claim loss data.

To see another filing so soon is disappointing, Kelly said.

“The rates (approved last year) just went into effect in July and we haven’t seen the effect of those,” she said.

In a statement issued Friday along with notice of the filing, N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin condemned the insurance companies for seeking another increase so soon and said they should withdraw the request.

And there won’t be a settlement as there was with the last filing, he said.

“New homeowner’s insurance rates went into effect in July 2013. I am appalled that the insurance companies would request another increase just six months later,” he said. “I believe the insurance companies should withdraw this rate filing immediately. If they do not, the insurance companies should expect a full hearing on this matter; I will not entertain any settlement negotiations. I urge North Carolina homeowners to take advantage of the public comment period and let their insurance companies know what they think about the notion of another homeowners insurance rate increase.”

The Rate Bureau in October 2012 proposed a statewide average rate increase of 17.7 percent, with a proposed increase of 30 percent across Eastern North Carolina.

Homeowners beware: Another increase in your insurance rates may be on the way.

The N.C. Department of Insurance received a homeowner’s insurance rate filing from the N.C. Rate Bureau late Friday afternoon. The Rate Bureau, which represents all companies writing insurance in North Carolina, has requested a statewide average rate increase of 25.3 percent.

The requested rate changes range from -2.7 percent to more than 35 percent and the Rate Bureau is seeking an effective date of Aug. 2014.

NC-20 President Willo Kelly was expecting the filing sometime this month but was a bit surprised to see it arrive at the close of the week just after the New Year’s holiday.

“It’s just after the first of the year and on a Friday,” she said.

Kelly had only had a chance to glance at the 1,300-page document, which the organization will be reviewing to respond. Public comments can be submitted until Jan. 31.

NC-20, an advocacy group for North Carolina’s 20 coastal counties, fought against the last homeowner insurance rate increases in Eastern North Carolina, which it argued were unjustified based on historical claim loss data.

To see another filing so soon is disappointing, Kelly said.

“The rates (approved last year) just went into effect in July and we haven’t seen the effect of those,” she said.

In a statement issued Friday along with notice of the filing, N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin condemned the insurance companies for seeking another increase so soon and said they should withdraw the request.

And there won’t be a settlement as there was with the last filing, he said.

“New homeowner’s insurance rates went into effect in July 2013. I am appalled that the insurance companies would request another increase just six months later,” he said. “I believe the insurance companies should withdraw this rate filing immediately. If they do not, the insurance companies should expect a full hearing on this matter; I will not entertain any settlement negotiations. I urge North Carolina homeowners to take advantage of the public comment period and let their insurance companies know what they think about the notion of another homeowners insurance rate increase.”

The Rate Bureau in October 2012 proposed a statewide average rate increase of 17.7 percent, with a proposed increase of 30 percent across Eastern North Carolina.

A settlement agreement signed by Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin in March 2013 was lower than the request but allowed an average statewide increase of 7 percent.

Beach residents faced a nearly 20 percent increase. The remainder of Onslow, Carteret, Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick counties had an increase of 8.6 percent.

Area legislators had been notified the filing was expected and began before Friday to encourage the public to express concerns.

They said the approval of any increase is made by the insurance commissioner and citizens should contact the Department of Insurance with comments.

Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, said it’s an issue citizens need to make sure their voice is heard.

“I hope they will let the insurance commissioner know how they feel,” Brown said. “He needs to understand people here are paying two and three times what they were five or six years ago. They can’t afford it.”

Brown and state Rep. Phil Shepard, also of Onslow County, noted the expected Rate Bureau filing in email newsletters last month.

Shepard said the disparity in the homeowner insurance rates between Eastern North Carolina and other parts of the state is unfair and the increases have become a burden. And with flood insurance also an issue, homeowners face other potential insurance increases.

“I don’t think the people can take much more,” he said.

For people who would like provide input on the rate requests in person, there will be a public comment session on Friday, Jan. 24, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Jim Long Hearing Room of the Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh.